More by Dash

Jacqueline Harrington recently asked us via email: “What is the difference between regular oats and steel cut oats?”If you’re looking at oats as a potential hot breakfast, know that cooking times vary considerably.

Regular oatmeal is either old-fashioned (rolled oats) or quick-cooking oats. Rolled oats have been flattened out and had their husks removed, and they take around 15 minutes to cook. Quick-cooking oats (ready in 5 minutes) have been rolled into thinner flakes and cut into pieces.

Steel-cut oats (sometimes referred to as Irish oatmeal) are groats, which is what oats turn into after they are cleaned, toasted, and hulled. To make steel-cut oats, these groats are cut into several pieces but not rolled. They have a chewy texture, take about 45 minutes to cook, and make an especially hearty, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast.

All these varieties are high in vitamin B1 and they also have vitamins B2 and E. They’re also a good source of fiber. Instant oatmeal, while convenient, is not as nutritious as it is made with precooked oat groats and often processed with salt, sugar, and flavorings.